Seeing a Central Shaft post on the section from the movie Litmus on Derek Hynd and me trying to decide what kind of board to shape next...

I came across this great, perfectly written Hynd missive on the FISH.



Twin Keels, preferably marine ply.
Straight railed.
Wide nosed.
Big swallow.
Low rocker.
Touch of roll.
Touch of concave.
Designed for real waves not real slop.
Anything more/anything less than two keels and it is
not a Fish.
Anyone advertising a Fish when it's NOT is false to
the roots and soul of surfing.

The Fish is essentially a kneeboard. It thrives on low
centre of gravity.
The more squat the surfer in a critical turn at speed,
the greater the response.
The more rail in the water, the better the projection.

The more The Fish is built to the surfer's power to
weight ratio, the better to ride any size.
Ride it the right way on the right wave and the
surfing experience explodes.
The 'HyndFish' is designed for real surf...JBay,
Burleigh, solid Bells: down the line set ups where
entry speed, delay and release, high line driving and
fade can be absolutely defined.


The 4oz model is built for a touch more response
though shorter lifespan.
The 6oz model is built for greater momentum and
durability.
For mine, the standard 70kg surfer can ride a 5'5"
Fish at 6 foot point surf no sweat as long as the
basics of low centre of gravity surfing are respected.

With the right gab rail bottom turn, body leaning
forward, the surfer can do just about anything in
setting up the perfect ride on the perfect wave.

The Fish is not to be surfed off the back foot.
Surf it from the front and let the keels do the rest.
And remember its origins...kneeboarding...low to the
rail.
The Fish has its variations but anything too much and
it morphs into twinny or thruster.
The micro wing comes into play as the surfer opts for
more everyday conditions.
It allows a more sudden break in flow, particularly in
the hook.

Jed Done from Bushrat builds the 'HyndFish' from his
country shack on the NSW South Coast.
There isn't a board builder more tuned to the roots
and soul of surfing.
I'm stoked to be associated with such a core
craftsman.

Derek Hynd

ps Buy hand crafted boards. Support true surfing. Say
no to imports.